Experiences & Observations
Accommodations: College Dorm House
Electricity is very erratic. You never know when it's going to be on. Water, when available is on from 11:00 P.M. - 5:00 A.M.
Typical Meals
2 Meals per day. Breakfast consists of water, bread and bananas. Lunch is made up of cooked Vegetables and Rice with a Coke.
Observations:
There are undercover guards everywhere. Our group was ticketed for taking pictures in the city. We went to the U.S. Embassy to register in order to make certain the Embassy was aware of our presence in the country, for protection. Many of the people believe that all outsiders are spies.
There are seven (7) million people in the city but there no street lights or stop signs. It is very crowded. There are no paved roads. All roads are dirt roads. Water is not readily available. They have no pressure. They must put buckets under the faucets and water may slowly come out. They must use the water they collect for bathing. But, through it all the people are very proud and hold their heads high!
Journal Entry Dec. 4, 2009
Today was a regularly scheduled day. After teaching we went to the orphanage and prayed with the children. We toured their horrific living conditions.
We are now leaving a church service and are stuck in a two hour traffic jam. The pictures I sent are not a true reflection of the poverty and conditions of the streets, it is worse. Certain things that we take for granted do not exist here, for example: there are no fire department or sanitation services hence trash is spread all over everywhere emitting odors that can be overbearing at times, especially in the market area. The market area is full of people walking between the traffic. It is amazing that we haven't seen people getting run over. Horns are constantly blowing.
However, in spite of all the infrastructure short comings, I have seen the most loving people. The HOLY Spirit is present. I can sense Him in every worship service.
Good...traffic is moving again...............